Changes in enzyme activities as affected by green-manure catch crops and mineral nitrogen fertilization

Abstract

The estimation of soil microbial activity has been an important research issue because of the significant role that microorganisms play in nutrient cycling in soil. In . Soil samples were taken twice a year, before spring wheat sowing (March or April) and after harvesting (August). Generally, catch crops significantly influenced DH and CAT activities in all of the years of the investigation, while FDAH activity was affected only in 2007. There were higher DH and FDAH activities in catch crop treatment versus the control and only in some cases in field pea than in oilseed radish when both catch crops treatments were compared. DH and CAT activities were always higher in August than in March or April. Nitrogen fertilization influenced DH and FDAH activities only in 2007, while CAT activity was influenced during the entire experimental period (2006)(2007)(2008). Generally, the highest CAT activity was noted at N rates of 80 or 120 kg ha -1 year -1 . Chemical properties (organic carbon, total nitrogen, pH 1 M KCl) were not significantly affected by catch crops and inorganic N fertilization treatments. The studied indices of microbial biomass were significantly correlated with chemical soil properties.

Long-Term Green Manure Rotations Improve Soil Biochemical Properties, Yield Sustainability and Nutrient Balances in Acidic Paddy Soil under a Rice-Based Cropping System

“…GM can also help to improve soil physical and chemical properties by improving soil porosity [17,64] and structure, reducing leaching [65] and increasing water holding capacity [32,66], thereby providing suitable conditions for proper plant growth to sustain long-term crop yield. Nutrient release in soil from decaying SOM under long-term GM application increases the soil enzyme activities [67]. Leguminous cover crops change the microbial community in rhizosphere soil and increase the enzyme activities [33].…”

Activities of β-glucosidase, Phosphatase and Dehydrogenase as Soil Quality Indicators: A Review

“…Furthermore, the joint application of vermicompost or municipal solid waste compost and mineral N fertilizer revealed higher phosphate activity than the separate application of the fertilizers to soil (Srivastava et al, 2012). Phosphatase activity increased when P fertilizer was added to soils with low organic matter, yet there were no changes in the activity of this enzyme when P fertilizer was amended with soils containing high organic matter (Piotrowska-Dlugosz and Wilczewski, 2014a). Thus, the synthesis and activity of phosphatase can be influenced by P from mineral fertilization in the soil (Saha et al, 2008).…”

“…This may be as a result of varying substrate and organic matter composition associated with each soil. Incorporation of residues of vetch, oat+legume, Trifolium pratense L, Brassica napus L and Trifolium pratense L+Brassica napus L, led to an increase in the activity of β-glucosidase compared to oats (Piotrowska-Dlugosz and Wilczewski, 2014a). βglucosidase activity increased because the soils amended with lower C:N crop residue favours its function, resulting in quick organic matter decomposition and nutrient release.…”

The biological activities of β-glucosidase, phosphatase and urease as soil quality indicators: a review

“…The activity of β-glucosidase was reported to be lower in arable soils than in woodland and meadow soils (Bandick and Dick, 1999 L+Brassica napus L, led to an increase in the activity of β-glucosidase compared to oats (Mukumbareza et al, 2015;Piotrowska-Dlugosz and Wilczewski, 2014a). β-glucosidase activity increased because the soils amended with lower C:N crop residue favors its function, resulting in quick organic matter decomposition and nutrient release.…”